36 10 300 Removing or installing front or rear wheel

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 16 other vehicles, including the 2006 BMW 325Ci, 2005 BMW 325xi, 2005 BMW 325i, 2005 BMW 325Ci, and 2004 BMW 325xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special Tools Required:

NOTE: For special tools, refer to WHEEL & TIRES - SPECIAL TOOLS - 325i, 325Ci, 325xi (M54/E46) .

36 1 250

IMPORTANT: Wheel was balanced electronically.

Observe the following in order to avoid positioning errors and imbalance:

Loosen wheel bolts.
Wheel positioned with valve facing down.

Fig 1: Wheel Positioned With Valve Facing Down
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If several wheels are removed at the same time, mark the installation location of the wheels on the tires (e.g. with chalk).
Mark out wheel to wheel hub.
Mark out lockable wheel bolt in relation to wheel.
Release wheel bolts and remove wheel.

IMPORTANT: Contact faces between brake disk and disk wheel and between brake disk and wheel hub must be free of grease.

Remove dirt, grease residues and corrosion from contact face (1) with a drill and special tool 36 1 250.

Fig 2: Removing Dirt, Grease Residues And Corrosion From Contact Face

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IMPORTANT: Do not operate special tool 36 1 250 with an impact screwdriver!

NOTE: Degrease contact face with universal cleaner.

NOTE: If there are grease residues in the area of the wheel stud bore, the brake disk must be removed and cleaned.

Fig 3: Identifying Wheel Stud Bore

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Remove dirt, grease residues and corrosion from contact face (1) with a drill and special tool 36 1 250.

IMPORTANT: Do not operate special tool 36 1 250 with an impact screwdriver!

NOTE: Degrease contact face with universal cleaner.

Check brake disk retaining bolt (1) for secure seating.

Fig 4: Checking Brake Disk Retaining Bolt

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IMPORTANT: Brake disk retaining bolt must under no circumstances protrude over contact face (2) between brake disk and disk wheel. Tightening torque, brake disk retaining screw, front axle and rear axle 16 N.m.

Apply a thin coat of grease to wheel centering (1) in disk wheel.

Fig 5: Applying A Thin Coat Of Grease To Wheel Centering In Disk Wheel

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Wheel studs with taper:

Wheel bolt - galvanized.
Wheel bolt - black chrome plated.
Wheel bolt - black chrome plated and lockable.
Lockable wheel stud with adapter, black chrome-plated.

Fig 6: Identifying Wheel Studs

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NOTE: To release and tighten down lockable wheel stud, use a matching adapter from special tool 36 1 300 (wheel stud adapter set).

Clean wheel bolts and check threads for damage, replace, if necessary.

Replace rusty wheel bolts.

IMPORTANT: Do not apply oil to new wheel bolts.

In the case of used wheel bolts, apply an extremely thin coating of engine oil to the threads and tapers before reinstalling them.

IMPORTANT: Under no circumstances use pneumatic or power screwdrivers to install and tighten the wheel bolts.

Fig 7: Tightening Wheel Studs

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Disk wheel must rest uniformly against brake disk.

Screw in wheel studs and, to center disk wheel, tighten down by hand diagonally and evenly.

Using torque wrench, firmly tighten wheel studs in diagonal and even sequence.

Tightening torque 120 +/- 10 N.m.